About Me

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Do you know what “Epigenetic Inheritance” is?

I’ve been reading up on recent studies regarding
Epigenetics. It’s a fascinating idea that the trauma your ancestor(s) experienced could have changed their genes,
and those genes were passed down to you. I included information about
epigenetics in the book I've written because it may give explanation to my great-grandmother's sense of well-being and certain choices she made considering what her own ancestors went through. I also have an ancestor who survived the Irish Potato Famine. Do I somehow know the hardships she endured? Am I hindered or strengthened because of her adversity?

My Great-Great Grandmother who survived the Great Irish Famine

Nature or Nurture? How About Both

Scientists found epigenetic tags on the same part of the
gene associated with the regulation of stress hormones in both the Holocaust
survivors and their offspring. The
same correlation was not found on the same gene in any of the control group: Jewish
families who were living outside of Europe (who did not experience the
Holocaust) and their children. Consequently, the children of the Holocaust
survivors may have altered stress hormones that can hamper their ability to
bounce back from trauma and they may suffer from anxiety disorders.

Epigenetics may explain how behaviors develop and sometimes persist

Experiences such as child neglect and alcoholism can cause
epigenetic changes in the genes, setting off behavioral disorders in
descendants. There are more studies being performed in the new field of behavioral
epigenetics. These studies might bring about new treatments for healing. Who
would have guessed there can be molecular scars in our DNA?

Experiences forgotten but never gone?

Our forbearers experiences have become a part of us. If we
can inherit weaknesses, can we not also inherit strengths? The answer is yes.
Be grateful for those good people who could find fortitude in their trials and
passed those attributes down to you. Maybe you inherited that optimism after
all?

I assume you are referring to: Malachi 4:6: "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Great food for thought. I love it! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.